Diesel relief stays at GH₵2 a litre as D-Levy is set aside, while COPEC warns of 22.91% price rise

Pinned summary · as of 07:19

The government is reported to be pausing the GH₵1-a-litre D-Levy on diesel for October and November so that motorists keep a total of GH₵2 a litre in relief. The report comes as the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) forecasts a 22.91% jump in diesel prices and a 5.21% rise for petrol from Thursday, 1 October 2026.

What we know

• Several reports say the government will suspend the Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy, known as the D-Levy, which adds GH₵1 to each litre of diesel, for October and November. The reports trace the plan to Citi's business desk.
• Drivers are to go on receiving GH₵2 a litre in total relief on diesel, but the money will be found differently. Margins will be trimmed by GH₵1 instead of GH₵2, and the paused levy supplies the other GH₵1.
• COPEC projected that the average pump price of diesel will move from GH₵18.24 to GH₵22.42 a litre, a rise of 22.91%, and that petrol will go from GH₵16.90 to GH₵17.78, a rise of 5.21%. Both changes take effect from Thursday, 1 October 2026.
• In a statement dated Tuesday, 29 September and signed by its Executive Secretary, Duncan Amoah, COPEC blamed the expected increases mainly on higher international petroleum prices and a slight weakening of the cedi against the US dollar.
• Reports say the anticipated fuel price rises have already helped push transport fares up by 8%.

What's disputed / unconfirmed

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  MyJoyOnline reported that the diesel support extension covers September and November 2026, a pairing of months that differs from the October and November period given in other reports.
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  MyJoyOnline said this is the government's fourth step to shield consumers from dearer fuel, that it keeps the cost-sharing deal between government and industry begun on 16 April 2026, and that the latest measure dates from 4 August after global oil prices surged. It also said it understands there are worries over unpaid sums owed to oil marketing companies for the August subsidy. No other independent report has confirmed these points.
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  The Herald Ghana reported that the government could revisit its diesel approach once the two months end. This has not been confirmed by any official statement or other report.
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  Pulse Ghana reported that COPEC put the cedi's slide at 1.20% over the pricing window and crude oil's rise at US$103.07 to US$124 a barrel. The Custodian carried further COPEC figures, including petrol pump prices of GH₵16.89 to GH₵18.67, diesel prices of GH₵19.40 to GH₵21.44 and LPG at GH₵15.68 a kilogramme. These specifics have not been confirmed elsewhere.

Why it matters for Ghana

Diesel powers trotros, trucks hauling foodstuffs to markets in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale, and the generators many small businesses rely on, so a double-digit rise at the pump spreads into fares and prices. Keeping GH₵2 a litre of relief in place softens the blow for drivers and transport operators, though COPEC's projection still points to a steep increase. Commuters are said to be paying 8% more already, which is felt most by households that spend a large share of income on getting to work.